Ficus plant named ‘Mini Amstel’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Ficus plant named ‘Mini Amstel’, as described and illustrated, and particulary characterized by the combined features of 40-45 mm wide leaves with elongated, lanceolate shape; medium green leaves closest to RHS 137 A; and irregular internodes with zig-zag pattern.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Ficusbenjamina.

Variety denomination: Mini Amstel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Ficusbenjamina. The varietal denomination of the new cultivar is ‘MiniAmstel’.

The new variety was discovered as a naturally occurring sport mutationof an unnamed variety of Ficus benjamina, amongst a controlled plantingof Ficus benjamina plants. The new variety was selected by the inventor,Sally Stribling, at a controlled outdoor planting in July, 1999. The newvariety was first asexually propagated by vegetative cuttings inOctober, 1999, in Homestead, Fla. Asexual reproduction by vegetativecuttings through succeeding generations has established that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘Mini Amstel’ which in combinationdistinguish this Ficus as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. 40-45 mm wide leaves with elongated, lanceolate shape;

2. medium green leaves closest to RHS 137 A; and

3. irregular internodes with zig-zag pattern.

‘Mini Amstel’ varies from the parent plant in leaf size and shape. Theleaves of ‘Mini Amstel’ are wider, 40-45 mm, and longer, 112 mm, have anelongated lanceolate shape, no undulation to the leaf margins. Theleaves of the unnamed parent plant are narrower, approximately 30-36 mmin width, shorter, approximately 82 mm in length, ovate in shape, andhave undulating leaf margins. The banana shaped leaf of ‘Mini Amstel’ isapproximately half the length of the leaf of the Ficus variety named‘Amstel King’. Ficus ‘Amstel King’ and ‘Mini Amstel’ are not related as‘Amstel King’ is a Macllelandii type Ficus and ‘Mini Amstel’ is a Ficusbenjamina.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Ficus cultivar, showing colors as true as is reasonablypossible with color reproductions of this type . The first photographicdrawing shows the typical characteristics of a Ficus ‘Mini Amstel’ plantin its entirety.

The second photographic drawing shows the leaves of the unnamed parentplant on the left, the leaves of ‘Mini Amstel’ in the center, and theleaves of ‘Midnight’ on the right.

The third photographic drawing is a close-up of the leaves of ‘MiniAmstel’ showing the elongated lanceolate shape and the leaf and mid-veincolors.

The fourth photographic drawing is a close-up of the leaves of thecomparison cultivar, ‘Midnight’, showing the ovate shape and leaf andmid-vein colors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

‘Mini Amstel’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotypic expression may vary with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, day length andcultural conditions, without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The following observations and descriptions are of a 6 month old plantgrown in Homestead, Fla. in an unheated, open air shade house fromOctober, 2000 until April, 2001. The shade cloth on the structure has a73% shade factor. In this description, color references are to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.). The color references areapproximate as color depends to a degree on horticultural practices suchas light level and fertilization rates.

Plant:

Form.—An Upright woody multiple irregular branching Ficus with slightlyzig-zagging internodes and elongated lanceolate shaped leaves.

Growth.—Upright multiple branching.

Height.—Height attained as of April, 2001, 1.5 meters. This height hasbeen maintained by pruning in controlled plantings in a shade house inHomestead, Fla.

Foliage:

Size.—7-11 cm long; 40-45 mm wide.

Quantity.—Numerous multiple.

Color.—Mature leaves: Upperside medium green closest to RHS 137 A;underside green RHS 137 D. Immature leaves: Upperside RHS 143C;underside RHS 144 C.

Shape.—Lanceolate elongate with Acuminate leaf tip.

Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.

Veination.—Single mid-rib vein, RHS 146 D under side of leaf frompetiole to leaf tip typical of benjamina type Ficus.

Edge.—Smooth.

Serration.—None.

Stipules.—None.

Auricle.—None.

Petiole.—Irregular between 15-35 mm in length; RHS 137 C in color.

Disease/insect resistance: No particular claim is made in reference todisease resistance. It has been observed to be susceptible to Thrips andSpider mites just as the parent plant.

Rachis.—Not apparent.

Wood:

New shoots.—Medium greyed-green closest to RHS 197B.

Old wood.—Greyed-green between 197C and 197D.

Internode spacing: Irregular, between 29-35 mm.

Preferred growing conditions: 25-35 degrees centigrade under 5,000 footcandles.

Reproductive organs: None observed.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Ficus plant designated ‘MiniAmstel’, substantially as illustrated and described.